The optimal driving waveform for overdamped, adiabatic rocking ratchets

The optimal driving waveform among a wide class of admissible functions for an overdamped, adiabatic rocking ratchet is shown to be dichotomous. 'Optimum' is defined as that which achieves the maximum (or minimum negative) average particle velocity. Implications for the design of ratchets, for example in nanotechnological transport, may follow. The main result is applicable to a general class of adiabatic responses. Much scope exists for further studies of ratchet waveform optimization in other regimes.